The Federal Government has set a February 17, 2025, deadline for civil servants to complete their identity verification, as part of efforts to eliminate ghost workers from the payroll system.

This directive was outlined in a memo from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, which was obtained by our correspondent on Saturday.

Civil servants are required to verify their identities through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) portal. Failure to comply may result in salary suspension and other penalties.

Our correspondent also gathered that many civil servants have been rushing to obtain their Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN) in order to meet the deadline. The verification process requires a TIN, an IPPIS number, and a salary account number.

The memo stated:
“Following the Treasury Circular (Ref. No. TRY/A6&B6/2024-OAGF/CAD/026/Vol. V/910) dated June 27, 2024, and a subsequent extension on August 16, 2024, the Accountant-General has approved a final one-week extension of the OAF-IPPIS Payroll Validation Portal from February 10 to 17, 2025.

“The portal will be accessible to employees who were unable to complete their validation before the previous deadline. Employees should visit the OAF website (www.oagf.gov.ng) to access the portal.

“It is emphasized that all affected employees must update their payroll information by 12 midnight on Monday, February 17, 2025. Officers who fail to comply may face consequences, including suspension from the payroll.

“Accounting Officers, Directors, and Heads of Finance & Audit Units in MDAs and other government bodies are urged to ensure widespread awareness and compliance with this directive.”

This move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s 2024 directive, which ordered the recovery of salaries paid to civil servants who had relocated abroad while still drawing salaries from the government. The President also instructed that supervisors and department heads responsible for enabling such fraud be sanctioned accordingly.